Although positioned as an “Internet tablet,” the 770 has much wider applicability. Bundled software currently includes: web browser, email client, Internet radio, news reader, media players, image viewer, file manager, search, calculator, world clock, PDF-viewer, notes, sketch, and games. Additionally, a broad and growing range of software can be downloaded and installed onto the device from the 770's Maemo.org community website.

According to Ari Jaaksi, Nokia's director of open source software operations, the company conceived the 770 as a web tablet, rather than as a traditional PDA. As a result, the device is “more like a laptop than an embedded device,” he said. “The goal was to get as close as possible to a PC experience. We probably couldn't have done this device two years ago, due to improvements in LCDs at this price point.” Further insight into the 770 and it's Linux-based software, gained from a conversation with Jaaksi, is available here.

The Tablet is equipped with 64 MB of RAM memory. It lacks a hard drive, but has 64MB of free Flash space for user files, expandable through an RS-MMC slot. Battery life is approximately three hours of normal operation, according to Nokia.

Some interesting photos of the 770 Internet Tablet's internal circuit boards are available here.

Linux software and SDK

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet runs an operating system called Nokia Internet Tablet 2005, which Nokia says is derived from Kernel.org Linux kernel 2.6 sources, a Debian filesystem, and other open source software. The user interface consists of the “Hildon” Gnome-based application framework, an on-screen keyboard, and handwriting recognition.

The Nokia 770 is based largely on open source software

According to a presentation given by Jaaksi last spring, key open source components used in the 770, in addition to the Linux kernel, include:

Gnome desktop environment components — GTK+, Gnome-vfs, Gconf

D-BUS message bus

Matchbox window manager

X.org window server

GStreamer, Helix, EsounD, and SDL multimedia frameworks

Sylpheed email engine

BlueZ bluetooth stack

OMAP Linux DSPgateway

Debian package management system

The growing list of application software freely downloadable for the 770 from Maemo.org currently includes ports of Abiword, GAIM (an instant messaging client), an ebook reader, and various games.

To support the developer and ISV communities, Nokia offers a complete source distribution and software development kit for the 770's Linux distribution, available as Debian source and binary packages, and as a 125MB download from Maemo.org.

Except for the hardware adaptation layer, certain user interface elements, and third-party software, the device is based entirely on open source software, according to the company.

The 770's open source software can be downloaded from Maemo.org as a complete filesystem, or managed as a collection of Debian source and binary packages. This enables enterprise developers and ISVs to easily create and test software for the device, Nokia says.

Nokia's VP of convergence products, Janne Jormalainen, said, “Linux and the Open Source development platform provide us with fast and efficient solutions to build products for this new Nokia product category.”

“This is the first step in creating an Open Source product for broadband and Internet services,” added Jormalainen. “We will be launching regular updates of the software. The next software release, planned for the first half of next year, will support more presence-based functionalities, such as VoIP and instant messaging.”

Summary of the 770's specifications

Nokia lists the following additional specifications for the 770 Internet Tablet:

The Nokia 770 Internet Tablet is currently shipping, and can be ordered online directly from Nokia. The device is priced around $350. It may also be available with service plans from carrier partners, the company has said.